distract
verb (used with object)
to draw away or divert, as the mind or attention.
has distracted
-
present perfectof distract (3rd person singular).present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"General poverty, major political upheaval, alongside other disasters - e.g. the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 - has distracted the country from concentrating on the unpredictable risks from earthquakes," he said.
From BBC ● Mar. 29, 2025
The study, published last week in Nature Sustainability, found that an overemphasis on recycling has distracted us from better options for preventing waste.
From Salon ● Aug. 7, 2023
Investors have complained that Twitter has distracted Mr. Musk from Tesla at a time when the carmaker faces slackening demand and increased competition, which have led it to cut prices.
From New York Times ● May 16, 2023
Tesla investors have grown weary of the 24/7 Twitter chaos that they say has distracted the eccentric CEO from the electric car company, his main source of wealth.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 23, 2022
Unless something has distracted you in the meantime, I bet you can sing back that opening Mozart phrase immediately.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
